🇸🇲 San Marino considering withdrawing from Eurovision 2026

During a press event unveiling RTV San Marino’s new logo, schedule, and single channel on frequency 550, general director Roberto Sergio addressed the nation’s future in the Eurovision Song Contest. He revealed that San Marino RTV is seriously considering withdrawing from Eurovision 2026 due to ongoing concerns about the voting process, calling it “not sufficiently clear” and lacking transparency around televote and jury results

Concerns behind the consideration

The general director, Roberto Sergio, expressed frustration with the current Eurovision voting system. He stated:

There are obvious problems in the treatment of small states by the EBU. More respect is needed. We want to be there, but with fairer rules. 

He added that San Marino is exploring whether changes in televoting or jury rules could convince the broadcaster to stay involved.

Multiple broadcasters raise concerns

San Marino RTV is the third EBU member broadcaster to voice doubts about future Eurovision participation over fairness concerns, after Belgium’s VRT and Slovenia’s RTVSLO. Notably, Roberto Sergio described the voting mechanism as a system “that doesn’t work”, citing instances where televotes appear disconnected from song quality, and juries are selected without clear expertise.

San Marino’s Eurovision journey

As one of the smallest countries in Europe, San Marino made its debut in the competition in 2008 with Miodio and the song “Complice”. Since then, they have participated in the competition 14 times, qualifying for the grand final three times. Their best result was in 2019, with Serhat and “Say Na Na Na”.

Italian DJ Gabry Ponte represented San Marino in 2025 with his song “Tutta L’Italia” – the original theme song for Sanremo that year. Performing in the first semi-final, San Marino qualified for the final, where it ultimately placed last with 37 points. 28 points came from the juries, while 9 came from the televote.

Is San Marino justified in threatening withdrawal over voting fairness? As always, please let us know what you think by getting involved in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads, tumblr, and Bluesky for more information about Eurovision 2026!

News Source: sanmarinotv.sm

Photo Credit: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU